Dancing with the Stars Recap: Monday, April 7, 2014

It's here! The much-hyped "switch-up" on Season 18 of Dancing with the Stars finally took place Monday night, with everybody switching partners for a week and forming new pairs based on viewer votes. Plus, Julianne "Cleavage" Hough returned to the ...

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By TV Guide

The Herald News, Fall River, MA

By TV Guide

Posted Apr. 7, 2014 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 7, 2014 at 10:18 PM

By TV Guide

Posted Apr. 7, 2014 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 7, 2014 at 10:18 PM

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It's here! The much-hyped "switch-up" on Season 18 of Dancing with the Stars finally took place Monday night, with everybody switching partners for a week and forming new pairs based on viewer votes. Plus, Julianne "Cleavage" Hough returned to the ballroom (in an eye-popping dress) as a guest judge. How did it turn out? Eh ... a mixed bag.

Also! There is no elimination this week. Because of the switch-up, this week's scores will be combined with last week's scores to determine who goes home next week.

Let's get to the routines:

Candace Cameron Bure and Tony Dovolani (quickstep)The dance: Candace says that Tony was the one pro she didn't want to get paired with, but adjusts to his style pretty quickly. Their dance is ... strange. "Ballroom Blitz" might not have been the best song choice, as Candace falls out of time with the music more than once and often looks uncomfortable with the steps. Their costumes rock though, and Tony's hair matching Candace's outfit is a nice touch.What the judges say: Len, Julianne and Carrie Ann say there was a little too much "gapping" between Tony and Candace. Bruno says he loved the energy, but tells Candace she needs to watch her lines and footwork.Score: 28 (out of 40)

James Maslow and Cheryl Burke (tango)The dance: Well, this is dramatic. Look out, Peta! James and Cheryl have insane chemistry and their routine is incredibly sexy, passionate and intense. There's a couple of missteps on James' part, but this is definitely his breakout routine.What the judges say: Julianne tells James that he needs to work on his pelvis and butt (cue awkward laughter), and Bruno says he loved the playful nature of the dance. Carrie Ann says that she couldn't tell they were dancing together for the first time. Len said the dance was "burning hot," but too manic on occasion.Score: 35

Drew Carey and Witney Carson (cha-cha)The dance: With Billy Dee Williams having withdrawn, Drew is now the oldest guy in the competition, and he's determined to cast off the "Gramps" label that Witney affectionately bestows on him in rehearsals. He's still not the most fluid of the dancers, but his lip-syncing and sliding in this routine pretty entertaining and he's showing definite improvement week after week.What the judges say: Bruno says the dance was awkward at times, but amusing, and both he and Len love how fun it was. Carrie Ann says Witney must have lit a firecracker under Drew. Julianne says it was Drew's "turning point."Score: 33

Page 2 of 3 - Danica McKellar and Maksim Chmerkovskiy (jive)The dance: Dancing with Val serves to highlight Danica's strengths, and unfortunately the same can't be said when she dances with Maks. Maybe it's the difficulty of the dance itself, but Maks' exaggerated movements only serve to highlight Danica's occasional stiffness and resistance to let loose. And, why is Danica wearing flats for a jive? Also apparently there was a music malfunction at the beginning of their routine.What the judges say: Carrie Ann says it's the most confident dance Danica has done, but sometimes they weren't in sync with each other. Len says there was "a little too much goofing off" in the routine. Julianne says she was also thrown by the timing and says the performance felt "phoned in" by Maks. Bruno compliments them for overcoming the music issue.Score: 32

Charlie White and Peta Murgatroyd (rumba)The dance: Charlie is convinced he and Peta will make a good pair because they're both blonde. 'kay. His slicked-back hair style has got to go, but other than that the dance is great, if a little snoozy. It would have been nice to see them move around a bit more rather than being so confined to the same area of the stage.What the judges say: Len calls the routine "jerky" and says it was more of a contemporary routine than a rumba. Julianne disagrees and says it was "stunning and beautiful," but cautions Charlie to stay off his heels. Bruno concurs. Carrie Ann is on Team Len and says no way that was a rumba.Score: 33

Amy Purdy and Mark Ballas (salsa)The dance: Good lord. Amy continues to shock and awe every week, and this dance proves that it's not just Derek's choreography that's propelling her through the competition. She's clearly less comfortable with Mark, but that doesn't even matter for their spicy salsa.What the judges say: Julianne compliments Amy's a--. Bruno compliments her hips, and adds that her flawless footwork was "incredible." Carrie Ann says the routine exposed Amy a lot more, and Len agrees with Julianne that Amy's "bottom is the top." Heh.Score: 34

Cody Simpson and Sharna Burgess (foxtrot)The dance: Is this Singing with the Stars? Cody starts their routine by singing a cappella, butTeam Oz then segues into a somewhat awkward foxtrot. Cody looks like he's dying to break out into a more modern dance and many of his movements are stiff and too controlled.What the judges say: Bruno, Len and Carrie Ann all say that Cody needs to work on his holds and technique. Julianne says Cody is hovering in the middle and needs to do "something completely un-Cody" next week.Score: 31

Page 3 of 3 - NeNe Leakes and Derek Hough (jazz)The dance: NeNe certainly has the attitude down and she and Derek complement each other nicely for this tribal dance. We're really just wondering how NeNe can move in that elaborate costume. Is it just us, or does Derek seem to be holding back on choreography a bit this week? He explains afterwards that they also had a musical mishap.What the judges say: Carrie Ann says they "killed it," and Len agrees that it's the best dance NeNe has done all season. Derek gets a sisterly compliment from Julianne that the routine allowed NeNe to channel her inner Beyonce. And Bruno says it was "like being in the presence of the Queen of Sheba."Score: 32

Meryl Davis and Val Chmerkovskiy (tango)The dance: There's no other way to put this - Meryl attacks the dance with sharp kicks, completely dominating the routine. She and Val have great chemistry and are completely in sync for the entire dance, even though their combined adrenaline makes it a bit fast at times.What the judges say: Len says it was "the dance of the night," though it had a little too much staccato. Julianne compliments Meryl's dancing and Val's choreography. Bruno calls the pair "two magical instruments," and Carrie Ann says they're "untouchable" as a pair.Score: 39

What did you think? Did you like the dynamic the switch-up brought to the show, or are you looking forward to the stars going back to their original partners? Which was your favorite routine? And who do you think will go home next week? Sound off in the comments!